| Hybrid engine -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Hybrid engineRelated Patent Categories: Planetary Gear Transmission Systems Or Components, Input From Independent Power Sources, Including Electric Motor InputHybrid engine description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070087884, Hybrid engine. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF TEE INVENTION [0001] The present invention pertains to a hybrid engine with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that connect to one another by means of a planetary gear. The invention also proposes a method for operating such a hybrid machine. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Numerous hybrid concepts with specific advantages and disadvantages have been proposed so far. Most of these systems have a complicated construction and provide advantages over conventional drive trains only in certain operating points. These concepts are frequently optimized for the consumption cycle only. In normal road traffic, however, significantly fewer advantages are attained. Automatic and automated transmissions were already used in these concepts. [0003] For example, DE 100 36 966 A1 discloses a hybrid engine design with a planetary gear train featuring several interlinks, transmissions and clutches in order to connect an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. DE 100 49 514 A1 also discloses a hybrid engine with an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. Two clutches as well as a brake are integrated into the planetary gear, wherein the electric motor can be rigidly coupled to the internal combustion engine with the aid of the first clutch and the second clutch. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention is based on the objective of making available a compact hybrid engine as well as a method for its operation. [0005] This objective is attained with a hybrid engine with the characteristics of Claim 1, as well as a method for operating a hybrid engine with the characteristics of Claim 19. Other advantageous embodiments and additional developments are disclosed in the respective subordinate claims. [0006] The invention proposes a hybrid engine with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that connect to one another by means of a planetary gear, wherein a clutch is arranged such that the internal combustion engine and the electric motor are connected to one another by means of a sun wheel and a planetary carrier. The clutch is preferably arranged between a clutch of a transmission input, particularly of an automatic transmission, and the planetary gear. According to another characteristic, the invention proposes a hybrid engine with an internal combustion engine and with an electric motor that can be interlocked by means of a clutch and that are connected to one another by means of a planetary gear, wherein the planetary gear features double planetary carriers. [0007] According to one additional development, the invention proposes a hybrid engine with an internal combustion engine and with an electric motor that connect to one another by means of a planetary gear, wherein the internal combustion engine and the electric motor can be interlocked by means of a sun wheel and a planetary carrier when this clutch is actuated. The clutch is preferably arranged between the automatic transmission and the planetary gear. [0008] The clutch is preferably integrated into the planetary gear, wherein the clutch is surrounded by a ring gear of the planetary gear. According to one embodiment, the ring gear is supported on a shaft that is directly connected to a transmission input of the automatic transmission. The shaft preferably forms the transmission input. According to another embodiment, the clutch directly connects the sun wheel and the transmission input of the automatic transmission to one another. [0009] The invention also proposes that the internal combustion engine be connected to the sun wheel and that the electric motor be connected to a planetary carrier. According to another embodiment, the electric motor is connected to the sun wheel and the internal combustion engine is connected to the planetary carrier. [0010] The proposed solution connects the internal combustion engine, the electric motor and the transmission by means of a planetary gear set that is arranged upstream of the automatic transmission. Although the inventive concept is described below in an exemplary fashion with reference to an application with a CVT transmission, it could be used analogously in connection with other transmission and engine concepts. The concept may be utilized in the form of a starting element with high torque amplification (geared neutral concept), a starter, a generator, a booster, a hillholder, a reverse gear, as well as for regenerative braking. In addition, the system largely behaves like a system without inertia during a significant portion of the starting process. [0011] The transmission has a planetary gear set that preferably features double planetary carriers. However, it would also be possible to provide a succession of planetary carriers between the sun wheel and the ring gear. The sun wheel is connected to the internal combustion engine, the planetary carrier is connected to the electric motor, and the ring gear is connected to a variator of the automatic transmission. The arrangement of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor as well as the design of the planetary gear set can be optionally varied. In the following description, in particular, of the enclosed figures the chosen transmission ratio of the planetary gear set from the sun wheel to the ring gear was at -1. This transmission ratio can also be appropriately adapted depending on the respective requirements. [0012] Preferably, the automatic transmission is directly connected to a shaft of the clutch without an intermediate torque converter. The invention also proposes that an electric oil pump be optionally utilized for supplying the automatic transmission with oil. The electric motor serves, in particular, at least as a starter and as a booster. Preferably, the electric motor is also suitable for use as a generator. The electric motor is designed, in particular, in the form of a 4-quadrant machine. This makes it possible for the electric motor to turn in different directions such that it can be used, respectively, as a generator or as a drive mechanism. [0013] According to another embodiment, the hybrid engine features an automatic transmission without a reverse gear. The connection between the electric motor, the internal combustion engine, the planetary gear and the clutch, as well as the coupling to the transmission input, make it possible to change the rotational direction of the transmission input by varying the rotational speed of the electric motor. Consequently, it is possible to reverse by means of the electric motor only, particularly by its adjustment. The hybrid engine preferably features a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine with a free-wheel. This enables the electric motor to turn in a different direction than the internal combustion engine. This can be utilized, e.g. when reversing the vehicle. For example, this makes it possible to realize a purely electric driving mode. [0014] According to one additional development, an arrangement for monitoring the operating state of the battery is provided. For example, the monitoring arrangement is designed such that the battery always contains a minimum of stored energy for reversing and for several starling processes. In this respect, it would be possible, in particular, to monitor a minimum of a value that is characteristic of the charge status of the battery, for example, a voltage or capacity. In this case, one or more values may be predefined such that the battery can be at least partially recharged in a timely fashion. It would even be possible to connect two or more energy accumulators in parallel or in series so as to ensure a sufficient energy supply of the electric motor and to make available a sufficient storage capacity. Furthermore, an ambient temperature can be incorporated into monitoring of the battery status. This makes it possible to predefine different values for a winter mode and a summer mode. [0015] The hybrid engine is preferably used in a vehicle, particularly a land vehicle. In this case, the hybrid engine preferably features a starter in the form of an electric motor, a generator in the form of an energy accumulator such as, for example, a battery, and an electronic parking brake or brake acting upon the clutch. [0016] According to another aspect, the invention proposes a method for operating a hybrid engine with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that are coupled to one another by means of a planetary gear, wherein the electric motor is used for starting the internal combustion engine when an automatic transmission connected to the planetary gear is locked. According to another characteristic of the method for operating a hybrid engine during a starting process of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is started by engaging a clutch. For this purpose, the hybrid engine features a connection of the electric motor, the internal combustion engine, the planetary gear and the clutch, as well as a coupling with a transmission input. According to one embodiment, the internal combustion engine is started in the electric driving mode by engaging the clutch. According to another embodiment, it is proposed that during the starting process a released inertial energy be used for starting the internal combustion engine as torque-neutrally as possible. The torque of the electric motor is preferably lowered during the starting process as a function of a transmission ratio, in particular by one-half. [0017] Other proposed operating modes of the hybrid engine can be respectively realized independently of the process of starting the hybrid engine. For example, the invention proposes that the speed of the internal combustion engine be varied by adjusting the speed of the electric motor. It would also be possible to vary the speed of a transmission input to the automatic transmission by adjusting the speed of the electric motor. According to another embodiment, a clutch arranged between a transmission input of the automatic transmission and the planetary gear is engaged after a speed of the electric motor has been varied, preferably increased, particularly to such a degree that it at least approximately corresponds to the speed of the internal combustion engine. In all applications, the electric motor preferably can also be used as a generator. For this purpose, a control is provided that determines whether the system should be switched from the generator mode to the electric motor mode or vice versa, based on a load status of the internal combustion engine. However, it would also be possible to utilize other parameters for realizing such a change of the operating mode, for example, the battery status, an actuation of the accelerator and/or the brake pedal, etc. [0018] According to another operating mode of the hybrid engine, the automatic transmission is down-shifted and the speed of the electric motor is increased to realize regenerative braking. This makes it possible to reduce an effective moment that can be absorbed by the higher speed of the electric motor. In another operating mode, the speed of the electric motor is varied to realize a chance in the rotational direction of a transmission input of the automatic transmission, namely until the transmission input changes rotational direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING [0019] Other advantageous embodiments and additional developments are described in greater detail below with reference to the enclosed figures. However, the characteristics illustrated in the figures should not be understood in a restrictive sense. On the contrary, other embodiments can be realized by combining these characteristics with one another, as well as with the above-described characteristics. The figures show: [0020] FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a hybrid engine; Continue reading about Hybrid engine... Full patent description for Hybrid engine Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Hybrid engine patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Hybrid engine or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: All-wheel drive vehicle Next Patent Application: Vehicle with a drive engine arranged in the transverse direction of the vehicle Industry Class: Planetary gear transmission systems or components ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Hybrid engine patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15059 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
